Blog

Join the Peace and Justice Institute for a retreat with Iron Eagle on the edge of the Ocala National Forest. The day will include a yoga practice, lighting the fire ceremony, meditation, and music. Children and families are welcome to join us for nature-filled renewal and fellowship. Bring your lunch and a chair to sit on! Date: Saturday, December 3, 2022 Location: Tanahuachi Nac 139 Ridgewood Dr. Georgetown, FL 32139 Time: 9:30 am - 3:30 pm *Optional Camping Overnight Registration: $20...

Dear CRC Network - Please see the below message from Jen Curt, Director of Government Affairs at the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP). We invite you to sign the call to action, which urges congress to address trauma through bi-partisan legislation. --- Dear Community Member, This January, FL Congressmembers in the U.S. House and Senate will begin a new 2-year session, which starts with Congressmembers setting their policy priorities. We must urge Congress to...

New!! 48-HOUR HISTORICAL TRAUMA SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION in collaboration with THE INTERNATIONAL HISTORICAL TRAUMA ASSOCIATION We are the only entity offering a comprehensive, 48-hour Historical Trauma Specialist Certification Program. The Program is broken into 6 levels and is built on a foundation of BIPOC cultures and neurobiology. It is taught from a multicultural perspective, injecting traditions and ideology from various cultures from around the world. In this inclusive study we rely...

Help support Central Florida's Creating a Resilient Community Network in creating a baseline understanding of our local non-profit's knowledge and implementation of trauma-informed practices and policies. If you are a NONPROFIT , click here to complete the trauma-informed baseline survey. EVERYONE , please share with your contacts from other non-profits across Central Florida and let's get the word out. Research like this is essential for the CRC Network and our community, in understanding...

Sometimes people learn about individuals in relationships that involve domestic violence and think, “why don’t they just leave?” While we often discuss various reasons for remaining in this type of relationship, such as fear, lack of resources, shame and even love, it is different to experience the challenges individuals face when leaving for yourself. Join the Peace and Justice Institute, Creating a Resilient Community Network and Harbor House of Central Florida, along with numerous...

"The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places." - Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms Event Details: Join us for a free community screening and facilitated discussion of the film Broken Places by Roger Weisberg. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/broken-places-community-film-screening-tickets-401393467667 Date: November 4, 2022 Doors Open: 11 am Event: 11:30 am -1:30 pm Location: Enzian Theater 1300 Orlando Ave. Maitland, FL 32751 Audience: All are...

Florida has the third highest rate of human trafficking in the nation , and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these numbers in our local Central Florida community. As members of our local Central Florida PACE community, we know the short and long-term implications of trauma—human trafficking well included in the umbrella of complex traumas. The Tri-County Alliance on Human Trafficking , also known as the Alliance, or “village,” is a collection of leaders, experts, service providers...

By Elaine Miller-Karas MSW, LCSW Building Resiliency to Trauma Psychology Today, September 30, 2022 Mental health can suffer after extreme climate events. KEY POINTS Mental health conditions exacerbated by natural disasters include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. After a disaster, the number of people needing assistance from the mental health systems strains or exceeds community capacity. There are simple strategies helpers can use to help survivors restore...

The last 24 hours have reminded us of our individual vulnerability, as well as the vulnerability of our community and our state. Hurricane Ian is an example of a traumatic event in the third realm of ACEs that can bring about increased stress and strong emotional reactions. We acknowledge that this can be an incredibly challenging time for many and we encourage people to stay connected, reach out for help when needed, and support each other as you are able. This is how we can build...

In 2020, the Peace and Justice Institute worked with Kenneth Ginsburg, MD, MS Ed, FAAP, pediatrician, professor, and co-founder of the Center for Parent and Teen Communication . After being well-received as the keynote speaker of the Creating a Resilient Community: From Trauma to Healing Conference, PJI brought Dr. Ginsburg back to deliver three additional workshops in a Community Resilience Series. If you missed the series, you can watch parts 1-3 on our Youtube page: Community Resilience...

Photo Credits: Steven Sobel The United Nations (UN) sanctioned International Day of Peace is September 21st. The mission of “Peace Day” is to have at least one non-violent, cease-fire day throughout the world. The international theme for 2022 is “End Racism. Build Peace”. Each September, the Peace and Justice Institute (PJI) celebrates the International Day of Peace, followed by the Global Peace Week (GPW) Conference . The work of peace-building ties directly into the work of building...

A cohort of over 20 educators took part in this summers' Peace and Justice Institute Teachers Academy (PJITA). The weeklong program included a training (developed by the CRC Network) titled Why Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACEs) Matter. Below is a reflection from one of the program participants. Author: Daniel J. Smith, MA Photo Credits: Willie J. Allen Jr. From June 27, 2022, through July 1, 2022, I participated in the Peace and Justice Institute’s Teacher’s Academy at...